Star of Heroes, Nashville and Scream dies at 36

American actress Hayden Panettiere, renowned for her roles in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise, passed away at the age of 36, according to ABC News. Her father, Skip Panettiere, announced the tragic loss in a statement, requesting privacy for the family as they mourn this "unimaginable" loss. Hayden's representative confirmed her death, but the cause has not yet been disclosed.

Panettiere's career began in 1994 at the age of five, appearing in 27 episodes of the soap opera One Life to Live. She later starred in 45 episodes of Guiding Light. Her filmography includes Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Ice Princess, Scream 4 and Scream VI. Panettiere gained fame for her role as Claire Bennet in Heroes, before transitioning to her iconic role as Juliette Barnes in Nashville, for which she received two Golden Globe nominations.

In addition to her acting, Panettiere released a memoir titled "This Is Me: A Reckoning" in May 2026, which detailed her life, including a strained relationship with her mother and personal struggles with alcohol and drugs. She entered rehab in 2020 and achieved sobriety. Tragically, her younger brother Jansen Panettiere died unexpectedly at 28 in 2023.

Born on August 21, 1989, in Palisades, New York, Panettiere made a significant impact on television during the 2000s, becoming one of the industry's most recognizable young stars. Her legacy extends beyond "Heroes" and "Nashville," encompassing a diverse range of work in film, television, voice roles and music. Panettiere's openness about her brother's death demonstrated her resilience, stating that such profound loss teaches one to prioritize one's well-being.